Animated display device



May 6, 1958 M. v. MORRISSEY 2,833,066

ANIMATED DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Feb. 26, 1954 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hll 15 2B 3B 4B 56 B 75 *DFMW 15 INVENTD/P.

25 1 McHAEL V/VR/P/JEK y 1958 M. v. MORRISSEY 2,833,066

ANIMATED DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1954 K L. R J m M M n N N E 2 MR V R m v? V. 2 0 L n .3 .1 s P 1 ..-N1|]|.|.|.P 1| F M M c o M D A v. 1 I MB A A 5 Y F 7 "M 7 u 15 8 l I M 3 2 5 F 3 L W M A i 3 7% T A B. M F 5 4 4 M. a u m w F T A m f Eh W m. IIIIIIIIII 1 m .H n ma A L J w w w w MU United States Patent 2,833,066 ANIMATED DISPLAY DEVICE Michael V. Morrissey, Jackson Heights, N. Y. Application February 26, 1954, Serial No. 412,896

5 Claims. (CI. 40-65) This invention relates to display means, and more particularly to a display device of the animated sign variety for alternately displaying one or a plurality of separate series of representations or characters through a single common series of windows, each pair of adjacent windows having a common border panel.

Where a plurality of display windows are arranged side-by-side, for example, for displaying a plurality of letters spelling selected words, it is necessary to maintain a selected and common interval between the letters of a given word and, of course, to maintain a selected interval or spacing between the words themselves. This is necessary in order for the letters of the various words to appear in proper spaced relationship to one another.- The interval between two adjacent letters of a given word is normally relatively narrow as compared to the width of the letter, for example, such interval may be about /3 of such width in accordance with normal spacing practice in the lettering art.

Consequently in display means of this general character heretofore suggested, where it has been desired to display two separate series of characters or representations through a common series of windows of a display face, it has been necessary to remove one of such series entirely from behind the display face and to substitute the other series of representations or characters.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome the above difiiculty or to reduce same to insignificance. Considering the invention with respect to one of such windows, the invention, in one aspect thereof, consists of means for alternatively displaying two representations through a common window having two opposite border panels. A plurality of sheet members are employed which are positioned consecutively in face-to-face relationship and each of such sheet members bears the pair of subdivisions, one from each of the two representations which are to appear alternately through the common window. The subdivisions of each pair are separated by a selected interval, one of the sheet members having a norm interval and the other sheet members each having lesser intervals. Means are provided for sliding the sheet members back and forth relative to the border panels by differing distances, each "distance being a function of the interval between the two subdivisions thereof. At one extremity of such sliding motion the subdivisions 2,833,066 Patented May 6, 1958 and 10 but superposed consecutively one upon the other,-

that is, positioned in consecutive face-to-back relation;

Figs. 2a, 2b and 20 represent the same sheet members shown in Figs. la, lb and 10 but in a different alignment;

and

in Figs., 2a, 2b and 20 but in consecutive face-to-back relation. I

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the embodiment of the invention shown comprises three sheet mem-;

bers .10, 11 and.12 which are positionable in consecutive face-to-back relationship behind a display face or frame member 13 having opposed sheet retaining guides 14 and 15 on theupper and lower edges thereof. respectively.

The guides 14 and 15 may be interconnected by a panel 14:; which may beintegral therewith. e limit-stops 15a and 151) are provided at the opposite I extremities of the guide 15 for aiding in arresting the sliding motion of certain of the sheets; If desired the entire end face above each of the limit-stops 15a, 15b can be closed by suitable end panels (not shown) for aiding in such limit-stop function.

The upper and lower guide tracks or flanges 14 and 15 are for receiving the several sheets 10, 11 and 12 when placed in consecutive face-to-back relationship behind the frame member 13.

of one representation are positioned in consecutive sideby-side relationship to display such representation in assembled form, the subdivisions of the other representa- I tion then being positioned one behind the other and behind one of the border panels. The subdivisions which l are so hidden become analogously assembled and the displayed subdivision becomes analogously hidden (but behind the other panel) in response to sliding motion of such sheet members to the opposite extremity thereof.

In the drawings: Figs. 1a, 1b, 1c respectivelyrepresent superposable For purposes of illustration, I have found it desirable to divide each window into three separate subdivisions or subsections indicated in Fig. 1d by the vertically ex tending'strips 1F, 2F and SF. On opposite sides 'of-said' subdivisions (1F, 2F and 3F) are the opposed border panel members IP and 2P which thus are separated'by three of the aforementioned basic subintervals, one of which is indicated at 16 comprising the width of the vertical strip or subsection 1F. e v

j The border panel members IF and 2? are on opposite sides of the window 17 whereas the border panels 2P and SP are on opposite sides of the window 18, it'being noted that said windows have a common border panel 2P; The width of each of the border panels is equal or substantially equal to the basic subinterval 16 above mentioned;

Consequently there is a total of five such subdivisions for the window 17, namely, the subdivisions 1?, IF, 2F, 3F and 2P. p 7

Each of the sheet members 10, 11 and 12 bears a pair of subdivisions, one from each of the two representations which are to appear through the window 17, each of such pairs being separated by a lesser interval than the one preceding.

Thus sheet 10 bears thereupon two subdivisions 19 and 20, respectively from the characters 3 and E, such subdivisions being separated by two of the basic intervals. It will be noted that the sheet member 19 is subdivided into eight vertically extending subsections 1A to 8A, inclusive. Considering the first four of the subsections (IA-1 D inc.) which have to do with the window 17, it will be seen that the number of such subsections is one less than the number of subsections (five) of the window 17. The width of each of the sections 1A to 8A, in elusive, is equal to the interval 16 above mentioned,

'Fig. 2d is analogous to Fig. 1d with the exception that the'sheet members are positioned in the alignment shownwhich is common tothe width of the subsections 1P, 2P

and IF to 3F, inclusive. 7

Thus the subdivisions 19 .and 20 are separated by an intervalmade up of two of the basic subintervals.

The sheet member 11 is provided with two subdivisions 21 and 22 also respectively from the two characters 3 and E, such subdivisions'being separated by the interval represented by the width of the'subs'eetion 213, such subsection being in width equal to the basic subinterval- 16.

The sheetmember 12 is provided with'subdivisions 22 and 23, respectively, from the same two characters 3 andE. There is no-interval separating the subdivisions 22 and 23, they being in side-by-side coplanar relationship.

Thus itisseen that the border panels (1P, 2P) are separated by a selected dimension which, when divided by the number of the superimposed sheet members, provides a subinterval. The largest of the intervals between the pairs of subdivisions comprises such plurality of subintervals minus one of such subintervals. The smallest interval, of course, is zero being that between the sub- 7 divisions 22 and 23.

Whenthe members (10, 11, 12) are positioned behind the frame member 13, that is, in consecutive face-toback relationship but with their righthand edges in alignment and in alignment with the righthand edge of the. border panel, 3P,1it is seen that thereis assembled for display through window 17 the subdivisions 19, 21 and 23, respectively, in subsections 1A, 1B and 1C are positioned in consecutive side-by-side relationship with the faces of all subsections fullyin view thereby displaying an assembled character through. the window 17.

In .the position shown in Fig. 1d, and also illustrated in Figs. 1a, 1b and it will be seen that the subdivisions 20, 22 and 24 are positioned one behind another and behind the border panel 21 whereby they are hidden from view.

However, when the sheet members 10, 11 and12are shifted to the left, as viewed in the drawings, to the position wherein their lefthand edges are in alignment with one another and with the lefthand edge of the.

border panel IF, it Wlll. be seen that the situation is reversed with the exception that theassembled representationof the character 3 has been disassembled and the. subdivisionsthereof 19, 21 and 23 have beenpositioned one-behind the other and behind the border panel 1P whereby they are now hidden and the subdivisions 20, 22 and 24 are, in response to suchmovement, shifted into the display position whereby they are in assembled and consecutive side-by-side relationship with all their faces in view, displaying the assembled second character, namely, E. t

The means for effecting the aforementioned sliding movement of the sheet members 10, 11 and 12 with respect to one another and to the frame member 13 comprise, ,in the form shown, a pin 25 which passes through all of the sheet members and the frame members simultaneously and is longitudinally shiftable in a slot- 26 formed preferably in the base of the frame member 13, the length of the slot being equal to three times the basic subinterval 16. The attitude of the slot is, of course, parallel to the direction of movement and in theform shown is horizontal. V

The pin 25 may be reciprocated by any suitable means, for example, by that shown in Fig. 1d comprising a rotating crank 27 to which it is connected by a link 28. The crank 27 is operatively connected to, for example,

an, electric motor 29 which may have a suitable gear box 30 secured thereto for reducing the angular velocity of themotor to a desired value.

character 3. That is, the

divisions thereby to provide differing extents of motion of such pin before engaging and moving the respective sheet members. Consequently the sheet member 10 is provided with limit-stops 31 and 32 compprising the opposite ends of a slot 33 formed in the base of the sheet member 10. The length of the slot 33 is equal to the distance measured horizontally between the subdivisions 19 and 20, that is, it is equal to two of the basic subintervals 16.

Analogously the sheet member 11 is provided with a pair of opposed limit-stops 34 and 35 comprising the ends of a slot36 which is equal in length to one of the basic subintervals 16.

In view of the fact that the subdivisions 23 and 24 of the sheet member 12 are not separated by an interval, the pin 25 moves within a perforation 37 whereby there is no degree of free motion with respect to the reciprocating movement of the pin 25 and the movement of the sheet member 12.; 7

Consequently at one extremity of the reciprocative motion of the finger 25 the subdivisions of one of the representations (3) are positioned in consecutive side-byside relation to display such representation in assembled form, the subdivisions of the other representation then beingone behind another and hidden behind one of the panels. In responseto the movement of the finger to the other extremity of its motion, the subdivisions behind such panel are moved into consecutive side-by-side relation thereby to display the assembled representation E and the other subdivisions are in turn moved one behind another-and hidden behind the other border panel.

For representation through the window 18, two representations are provided, namely: (1) a cylindrical container, for example, bearing'advertising matter and (2) the numeral 6.

Consequently each of the sheet members 10, 11 and 12 are respectively provided with pairs of subdivisions 38, 39 and 40, 41 'and 42, 43.

The operation of the aforementioned three pairs with respect to the window 18 is identical to the first-mentioned three pairs (19,20 and'21, 22 and 23, 24).

It is noted that the center border panel 2P, also represented'by the numeral 44, in one position of the sheet members, as shown in Fig. 1, hides therebehind the three subdivisions 20, 22 and 24 of the character E which is displayable through the window 17 whereas in the position of the sheet members shown in Fig. 2, thesame center panel 44 hides 'therebehind three subdivisions 38,

40 and 42 from the representation of the container which (in another position) is displayable-through the other window '18.

It will be noted that the number of subsections of any one of the windows, for'example, 17, in the form shown, subsections 1F, 2F and 3F are equal in number to the number of sheet members which are employed.

Reverting to the slots 26, 33, 36 and 37, it will be observed that the righthand extremities of all of said slots are in alignment when one of the representations is Suitable opposed limit-stops are provided upon. each of the sheet members 10, 11 and 12 for engaging the reciprocable pin 25, the limit-stops being spaced in response to the interval between a given pair of such subfully assembled and in view in one of the windows, and that the'lefthand extremities of said slots are in alignment when the other of such representations is assembled and displayedthrough such window.

Any desired number of the'windows, such as 17 and 18, including their frame members, may be employed, together with the superposed sheet members for each of the windows whereby a plurality of such representations may spell out any desired number of words of one series, a second series of representations, for example, of words, being substitutable for the first one in response to the shifting of the sheet members in the manner above described. Of course, the representation in any of the windows can be a blank where desired.

The sheet members and slots can be so arranged whereby the several letters. of a given. word appear seriatim thereby spelling out the word commencing at its beginning or end or at any selected letter thereof.

One or more of the various subsections (figures 19-24 and 38-43) may be opaque, translucent or transparent as desired. If transparent or translucent a so-called transparency can be formed thereby, for illumination by a lamp placed behind it located, for example, within a box, the transparency comprising one side of the box.

Although only a single embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. For a definition of the limits of the invention, reference will be had primarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In means for alternately displaying two representations through 'a common window having two opposite border panels, a plurality of sheet members positioned consecutively face-to-back, each of such sheet members bearing a pair of subdivisions, one from each of said two representations, the subdivisions of each pair being separated by progressively diminishing selected intervals; means for sliding said sheet members back and forth relative to said border panels differing distances, each distance being a function of the interval between the subdivisions thereof, whereby at One extremity of such sliding motion the subdivisions of one representation are positioned in consecutive side-by-side relationship to display such representation in assembled form, the subdivisions of the other representation then being positioned one behind the other and hidden behind one of such border panels, the hidden subdivisions becoming so assembled and the displayed subdivisions becoming analogously hidden but behind the other panel in response to sliding motion of such sheet members to the opposite extremity thereof.

2. Means for alternately displaying two representations through a common window of a frame member having opposite border panels including, a plurality of superposed sheet members each bearing a pair of subdivisions, one from each of said two representations, such sheet members being positioned in the rear of such frame member, each pair except one being separated by a different interval, one of such pairs having no interval therebetween, such intervals being translucent; said border panels being separated by a selected dimension which divided by such plurality provides a subinterval, the largest of such intervals between pairs comprising such a plurality of subintervals less one of such subintervals; a common finger for engaging all of said sheet members and sliding same back and forth relative to said border panels, each such sheet member having a pair of opposed limit-stops secured thereto for engaging such finger, said limit-stops being spaced in response to the interval between said subdivisions thereby to provide difiering extents of motion of the finger before engaging and moving the respective sheet members, whereby at one extremity of the motion of such finger the subdivisions of one representation are positioned in consecutive side-by-side relation to display such representation in assembled form, the subdivisions of the other representation then being one behind another and behind one of said panels, in response to movement of such finger to the other extremity of its motion, the subdivisions behind the panel being movable into consecutive side-by-side relation and the other subdivisions movable one behind another and behind the other panel.

3. Indicia display means including in combination; a frame having a window and a pair of opposite border panels; a plurality of indicia bearing sheet-like members,

each member bearing a primary and a secondary subdivision respectively of a primary and a secondary indicia, said sheet-like members being superposed and mounted for sliding movement behind said frame; the subdivisions of a given one of such indicia being positionable in stepped series with the edge of any one subdivision of any pair in register with the edge of the next adjacent subdivision, the face thereof both being in view through such window whereby the successive subdivisions are assembled to display fully the given indicia, the subdivisions of the other indicia being so spaced with respect to the subdivisions so in view that they are superposed and hidden behind one of said panels; said sheet-like members being slidable relative to one another and to said frame thereby to spread out the initially hidden subdivisions into stepped series with the faces thereof in view through such window, the subdivisions initially in view being moved into position in register behind the other of said panels.

4. Indicia display means including: a plurality of indicia bearing members each one having a subdivision of a primary character and a subdivision of a secondary character; the spacing between the primary and secondary subdivisions of said members when arranged in sequence progressively changing from member to member by a preselected cornmon interval, the subdivisions of each member being in fixed positions relative to one another; a windowed frame element having two opposite border panels; said primary and secondary subdivisions being arranged whereby the primary subdivisions are superimposed in stacked relation one behind another and behind one of such panels and the secondary subdivisions are spread in view through such window a a complete character; said indicia bearing members being shiftable with respect to said frame member by progressively dilfering intervals thereby to move said primary subdivisions into superposed stacked relation behind the other of said panels, the secondary subdivisions being thereby moved from their stacked relation to a side-by-side relation thereby to assemble the secondary character for view through such window.

5. Character displaying means including: a plurality of indicia bearing members having a like plurality of primary divisional portions of a primary character thereon, and a like plurality of secondary divisional portions of a secondary character thereon, a display frame member positioned in front of such indicia bearing members, said frame member being provided with a pair of opaque panels on opposite sides of such frame member and a translucent window therebetween, said primary divisional portions being positionable in consecutive side-by-side relationship to display said primary character fully assembled through such Window, said secondary portions being then one behind another and behind one of said panels, means for shifting said members relative to one another thereby to move said primary portions one behind another and behind the other of said panels, such shifting concurrently moving said secondary portions to side-byside relationship to display said secondary character fully assembled through such window.

Great Britain Feb. 29, 1940 

